My Weird Dog - Farewell

 One look at your picture online and I fell in love. You were so happy to see us when we met you. There was no way we would leave there without you (you made sure of that). I was the lucky one who held you on our ride home.

You had some "issues." Double Dew claw and fleas.  Luckily those were easily handled.

It was brought up that you might be part pit bull terrier.  I didn't know much about the breed and decided to look it up.  The first and only sentence I read, "Pitbulls are fiercely loyal." I looked at you and said, "Yep, that's you."

You were quite the entertainer for our family. Squeezing through our fence, only to find yourself on the outside, standing by the gate waiting to be let back into the yard. I learned that when I pointed, you ran around to the front door and I let you back into the house (the first of your many attempts to escape).

My all-time favorite was chewing the lower board of the fence (about 5-6" high) and squeezing through. I don't think RT was a fan (he had to fix the fence). I would have loved to watch how you made it through. You were pretty smart when it came to escaping, thus the nickname, "Houdini." You knew how to get out but, you always wanted back in. I think you knew how good you had it here.

We lovingly refer to you as our weird dog. Well, lovingly from me.  RT just thinks you're weird and that it's normal behavior for you.

Things that contribute to your weirdness: 

Fear of: 

Loud lawnmowers

Thunderstorms

Fireworks

Purple Squeaky bone

The tea kettle

The nail clippers

A new dog bed

Water bowls left out for dogs (poison water)

A few more:

Need company when you are eating.

Eats birdseed

Opening doors (especially in the middle of the night)

So many fun memories with you. Like the time you got skunked (OK, that wasn't fun at the time). You getting high for our long car rides (fun for both of us), getting excited to play in the snow with me and singing along with us on your birthday.

There was the time you went on vacation at Nick's and we found out that you love camping. There was the time RT brought you up to Michigan and you ran away from him. He drove all around in a panic trying to find you. He didn't want to be the one to tell me that he lost you. Luckily he found you (a block away).

So many stories.

So much weirdness.

So much love.

Thank you for being a part of my life. You will truly be missed.

Until we meet again on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge.  Goodbye, my faithful friend.

*If you want to read more about Pippen, type in "My Weird Dog" on the search bar to the right. There are quite a few entertaining stories about him.

My Weird Dog - Takes a Vacation

 I thought I would continue our conversation about our move.

We are two days from having to be completely out of our house.  We still have some loose ends to tie up, but first we need to pack up My Weird Dog Pippen and take him to his vacation destination:  N's house.  A lovely three hour drive.

A little background on why we were forced to waited until the last minute for this transfer.  We planned our move very carefully, down to every last detail.

Getting rid of stuff

Fixing things around the house

Packing boxes

Parties (Easter celebration)

Graduation

Drop off Pippen

First moving truck

Selling off stuff

Pack up remaining items

Second moving truck

Pack up car and get out of town

Before that first moving truck, Pippen was scheduled to "go on vacation."  We discussed this with N back in January.  He agreed to take Pippen.  There were monthly reminders of his commitment.  A week before the drop off, N tells us that he can't take him at that time.  He had other plans.  Yes. He agreed five months ago to our plan, but I guess things change.....

Luckily, RT and I are pretty flexible.  We had to move our dog drop off right after the second moving truck.  Sadly, this required My Weird Dog Pippen to watch (from the deck) people enter our house and take all of our stuff.  This did not set right with Pippen.  It became worse because he saw RT and I leave with the truck full of stuff.  Luckily (or unluckily, depending on who you ask) he had B to hang with him until our return.

When we returned, we packed Pippen's belongings, popped some CBD in him, loaded him in the car and started on our three hour journey.  He was happy to see N but not happy when RT and I left.

Pippen had quite the adventure.  N brought him camping.  Turns out Pippen loves camping.  He loved being inside the tent and was always sad when they took it down.  He even tolerated car rides (with out being drugged).  That last one is huge since he is a pain to travel with in the car.

N called us with updates on Pippen and his antics.  There were also photos and videos of mischief Pippen.  About two weeks in, N called and asked when we were picking Pippen up.  Not a good sign since N signed up for a four month visit.

After our vacation, we decided to stop and pick up Pippen on our way to our new home.

My Weird Dog - Celebrates the big 13

 Today is a big day in our house.  We are celebrating My Weird Dog's Pippen's 13th Birthday. 

We started off the celebration by waking up at 2 am.  I think Pippen wanted to make the most of the day and get as much celebrating in one day.  I really don't think that it had anything to do with the thunderstorm that rolled in at that time.  He got himself worked up and took a couple of hours to calm down.  Even with the help of CBD treats. 

Luckily we just had a trip to the big city planned, dropping off the baby at the airport and some shopping.  

Thanks for making our lives, well, interesting.....

We love you, Pippen!

My Weird Dog - Moving

 All this talk about moving and I should mention the effect it had on My Weird Dog Pippen.

I honestly didn't think any of this would affect Pippen..  I mean, little fixes around the house, items disappearing.  A dog doesn't have any idea how much stuff you have and that some of it is slowly disappearing from the house. Especially when this dog is living his best life on the back deck, terrorizing dog walkers as they pass our house (I'm sure there are quite a few people happy that we moved). (In fact, I bet there is probably some people who changed their walk route and will now go past our old house because there isn't a psycho dog barking at them.)

There was a couple of months of keeping the house immaculate for showings.  During the showing, we took Pippen for long walks. Props to RT. I worked during this time and he had to do a lot of this himself (home prep and dog walk). 

Once our home sold, you would think we could relax a little, but that's when "it" hit the fan.

We did not move everything, sold quite a bit of the furniture.  Once things started disappearing, the "weirdness" kicked into gear.  After the first truckload, Pippen knew something was up.  When the movers showed up for the rest, well, I think he was afraid we would forget him.

B and Pippen were the last ones to stay in the house.  Pippen didn't know at the time, but he was going on a little vacation. 

My Weird Dog - Olympics

 It's been quite a while since we have heard from My Weird Dog Pippen. Lots of stories to tell about him.  Pippen has had a crazy year (isn't every day/year crazy for him?).   He loves where we live and gets to decide where he wants to go for his walks every day.  And since he is the only child at home, he can be quite spoiled.* 

A result of one of these spoil sessions was something that didn't quite sit right in Pippen's stomach.  I sensed the urgency, hopped up and start yelling, "Let's go!  Get up!  We're going outside!  Hurry!  Come on!  Let's go, Let's go, Let's go!" and we both sprint out the back door.  

RT watched the whole show and said that I have made Pippen's nauseous stomach issues into an Olympic event.  It's the "Race to get the dog outside before he barfs in the house," event.  RT is amazed that, over the years, I appear out of nowhere (the attic, basement, the roof), sensing that this is going to happen and get Pippen outside in time.  

Yes, kids, do a little every day.  Always be aware of what could happen and prepare in your mind how you can help the dog evacuate the house.  This isn't a sport that you can just jump into and be the best.  It takes years of practice.   

I would love to talk more, but I have to go accept my Gold Medal.      

*OK.  So, he has always been spoiled.  Nothing new.

Retail Problems

 More customer antics for you.

I had a customer returning a couple of candy bars.  She didn't have a receipt for them, so I had to look them up on her credit card.  It's funny because she didn't remember when she purchased them, and she was acting a little strange during this process.  I glanced down at the backs of the bars and notice the expiration dates on the bars.  They expired three years ago (no wonder she couldn't remember when she purchased them!). I mention this to her and she tries to act cool about it and doesn't respond.  I told her, "We take returns up to ninety days and I can't take the candy bars back because they expired over three years ago."  

The customer grabbed the bars and said she would be right back.  I noticed that she left her strawberries on the counter.  I wasn't sure if it was bring an expired food from your pantry day at the store (yea, I made that holiday up).  It also worried me that this woman has three year old food in her pantry.

Oh, yea.  She never returned to buy the strawberries.

My Weird Dog - Moving

 I can't talk about moving and not give an update on the effects it has on my weird dog Pippen.  I mean, how can anything make him weirder than he already is?

We have been prepping for photos and showings of our house.  One of those preps was removing throw rugs, something that my princess Pippen and his long nails need so he doesn't slip on the wood floor.  We also picked up his bed/pillow and cleaned the carpet in that room.  Some furniture was moved around while other furniture disappeared.  

With all of the hustle and bustle in our house "someone" has not been too happy during this process.  He is enjoying his time during the day lounging on the back deck but is not happy when he returns inside and finds the place redecorated.

For a dog who does not like change, boy is he in for a surprise when he realizes we are going to move.

Maybe we can leave him with the new owners?

My Weird Dog

 Nothing like being at work and receiving videos from my kids of them annoying the dog.

And then they wonder why the dog acts weird.

My Weird Dog - Updates

 I think we are due for a little check in with my weird dog Pippen.

Believe it or not, the youngest child helped me load Pippen into the car so we could take him for a bath.  Normally I hose Pippen down in the driveway.  Unfortunately, the weather here does not cooperate.  It's difficult to hose him down when the temperature is 20F.  He was a good boy while he was being bathed.  He won't fight me if I'm the one giving him a bath.  It was definitely worth the trouble, though.  He smells so clean!

Pippen is now in his "vocal" era.  He likes to bark.....alot.  If you let him outside and accidentally forget about him, he will bark (non-stop) until you let him inside.  If you happen to be sitting in the family room, watching a really good movie, he will stand in front of the window, stare at you and bark.  In the morning, if I decide I want to sleep in a couple extra minutes, he will bark until I get up out of bed and go downstairs.  (yea, he's a pain!)

Pippen is starting to lose it.  If you close the door to a room in the house, he will start barking.  He thinks someone is at our front door.

It seems Pippen has selective hearing.  The other day, I brought him out front with me.  He walked across our front yard to our neighbor's house.  Then decided he was going to cross the street.  The entire time he was goofing off, I was calling him to come back.  He just ignored me.  I had to go grab him and tell him to go home.  

His little "quirks" drive us crazy, but are quite entertaining.

My Weird Dog - Yard Work

 I had a little yardwork to do out front before winter digs it's heels in and decides to stay for a while.  I thought it would be fun to bring my weird dog Pippen outside with me.  

I hook Pippen up on a chain and he "helps."  Actually, he walks around and sniffs everything.  He wants to be where I am and forgets he is on a chain and gets tangled.  He tries to trip me gets excited and runs circles around me when I make my way to the garage.  Of course, he is always on the lookout for intruders (other dogs) so he can protect me.  If nothing is happening, he walks towards the garage and stares me down.  That just means that he's tired from all of that work and needs to go inside and take a nap.

My Weird Dog - Halloween Recovery

Halloween is always a fun time of year at our house.  Even my weird dog Pippen gets in on the fun.  You see, every time the doorbell rings he jumps up and runs to the door.  You're probably thinking, "That's what all normal dogs do."  You have to remember that Pippen is not normal.

One of Pippen's favorite hangouts is in the family room.  He is usually engaged in his favorite activity:  sleeping.  When the doorbell rings, he will jump up and start barking.  It's nice, because he has a loud bark and people can hear it at the front door.  The only problem is, if we remain seated, he just stands there and barks.  He doesn't run to the door to protect us.  If we start walking towards the door, he will follow.  It's like he is afraid to go near the door (my fearless protector).  

I should also mention that our front door is down a flight of stairs and that Pippen is not a puppy.  With every doorbell ring on Halloween, he runs down and up a flight of stairs.

Pippen has been a little tired and out of sorts for the last week.  Hopefully with a few more naps, he should be back to "normal" soon.

My Weird Dog - Forgotten

 I woke up at 2am the other night and thought I heard my weird dog, Pippen, barking.  It sounded like he was really far away.  I thought I might still be sleeping and dreaming of him barking.  I was a little shaken and decided to get out of bed and investigate. 

To my surprise I found him wagging his tail and staring at me on the other side of the sliding glass door.  I let him inside.  The poor guy's fur was standing up and he was a little miffed he was left outside.  It was all RT's fault...or at least that is what I told Pippen.   

Side note:  Pippen loves being outside and it wasn't really that cold.  He just likes curling up in his bed at night (or on the carpet by my side of the bed).

Today is National Make a Dog's Day.  A day set aside to give all dogs the best day of their lives. It also encourages to adopt, not shop.  If you already have a dog, how about showing some love with an extra walk or a special treat.  Maybe a visit to a dog park.  

Of course we will be observing #MakeADogsDay by going on a walk, extra treats (maybe even some green beans), fur hugs and even remembering to bring the pooch inside at night.

P.S. No harm was done to Pippen.  He is happy and healthy.

My Weird Dog - Green Beans

 I plant a (vegetable) garden every year.  I grow tomatoes, cucumbers, an assortment of peppers and green beans.  Every year I like to mix it up a little and try growing something different.  This year it was sugar snap peas.  Sometimes I purchase the plants and sometimes I grow them by seed.  This year, I had a half packet of green beans and thought I would just plant them all.  Normally, some of the seeds don't take and I'm left with five or six plants.  This year, all of the seeds made it and we have had an abundance of green beans.

I do what any normal person does with a large crop.  Panic.  Just kidding.  I clean them, cut and blanch them, then freeze them.  I have a several gallon sized bags of frozen green beans in our freezer.  Normally, I like to have enough so we can have home grown green beans at Thanksgiving and or Christmas.  This year, we could probably have green beans every night for dinner and still have some left over for the holidays.

Yes, I have given some away.  I haven't tried the "Sneak some onto a neighbor's porch" yet (although I am certainly tempted..).  And yes, I have made dishes with green beans.  Some that actually called for green beans and some that I decided needed fresh green beans. 

I made a rather large batch of my Greek Style Green Beans.  RT and I must have had them a few days in a row.  While at work, I texted him and said that I couldn't eat green beans a third night in a row.  I could sense the relief when I got RT's text.  Later that evening, RT wondered if dogs could eat green beans.  (I think the abundance of green beans is putting him over the edge).  RT put some of the green beans in Pippen's dog food and they disappeared rather quickly.  Pippen had the rest of that green bean dish (spread out over a few days).

Yes. Pippen likes green beans.  He won't touch carrots or apples, but loves his cooked green beans.

Today is National Hug Your Hound Day.  A day to pamper your pet.  Something that happens every day in our house.  I have a feeling RT will celebrate the day by making Pippen a batch of green beans.

My Weird Dog

Just a little update on my baby my weird dog Pippen and his teeth beautification project.  

Pippen is always happy to see me, but when I picked him up from the vet after his dental appointment, I think he was smiling.  He also pulled me to the door (he was ready to leave) and he had no problem hopping into my car.

Pippen had a couple of teeth extracted and his teeth cleaned.   He is on soft foods and meds.  I'm just wondering who thought it was a good idea to make large pills for dogs to swallow?  Luckily, we have some cheese and peanut butter in the house (can you say, spoiled?).  He has been a little clingy to me, which means he is back to normal.  Hopefully he will let me brush his teeth so we don't have to go through this again.

A big shout out to RT for approving the dental project.  He knows how much Pippen means to me and, most importantly, he is happy our house doesn't have that bad dog breath smell.

My Weird Dog - Goes to the Vet

 For most people, taking their dog to the vet is a simple task.  Heck, getting their dog into the car is easy.  Unfortunately, my weird dog Pippen does not like going for car rides.  So, the idea of taking him to the vet turned into a two person job.  Yes, I had to bribe one of my kids to go with me.

Pippen finally hopped into the car and immediately proceeded to hyperventilate.  A short car ride turns into an extremely long drive when your dog is in the back seat panting.  Don't worry, he did finally calm down just as we were turning into the vet's parking lot.  

Pippen had to get a couple of shots and have his blood drawn.  Because he is a big baby might bite we have to use a muzzle for part of the visit.  He is not fond of the muzzle and walks around trying to get it off his nose.  He is unsuccessful and ends up laying down on the floor (which makes the visit go a lot smoother).

He will be going back next week to have his teeth cleaned (and maybe having a tooth extraction).  Will keep you posted on how he is doing.

My Weird Dog

 I could probably write "weird dog" posts daily.  There is always something weird strange new going on with my child Pippen. 

We had some people over recently.  One of the families left a bottle of bubbles.  B thought it would be fun to hang outside with Pippen and the bubbles.  It didn't take long to realize that Pippen wanted no part of the bubble situation.  He went in the house and hid.  We aren't sure if it's the bubbles or the actual blowing.  He doesn't like any blowing air on him.  And now, when he sees the bubble bottle, his ears go down and he walks away.

My fearless protector.

National Rescue Dog Day

 Over 3 million dogs enter shelters every year.  (THREE MILLION!)  Each dog is in search of a loving fur ever home.  

Most rescue dogs overcome extreme obstacles.  Some are abuse or raised in poor conditions.  Most are abandoned and left to the streets.  With training, these dogs can provide comfort to people as emotional support pets, help people with disabilities and provide comfort to elderly.  People with autism enjoy the therapeutic benefits of comfort dogs while military personnel with PTSD get relief from anxiety and depression.

How to celebrate today:

Volunteer at a shelter.  

Shelters are always looking for donations.  Old towels and blankets.  Some even have an Amazon list of needs.

Consider adopting from a shelter for your next pet.

You can use #NationalRescueDogDay on social media.

I will be spending the day (like every other day) spoiling my weird dog rescue dog, Pippen.  

National Dog Mom's Day

 I have tried to find the source for this holiday, and nothing makes sense.  I'm happy that this day is set aside for us weird dog dog moms.  We really need it. 

Some activities for dog mom's day:

Go for a walk.  Oh, yea.  Don't forget to bring your dog.

Treat yourself.  Oh, and the dog, too.  Go out for a special treat.  Maybe get matching t-shirts?

Some interesting facts about dogs:

They are as smart as a two year old (sounds about right).  They can learn up to 200 words.

They can hear four times better than humans.  Especially when you open a dog treat bag or peanut butter jar.  And when you quietly grab their dog leash.

Being a dog mom improves your health.  Obviously, the person who said this never spent time with my weird dog Pippen.  Bad breath in your face.  Worrying because there might be a thunderstorm.  Having to lug 50lb dog food bags up and down the stairs.

Being a dog mom helps you socialize more.  Again, this person never had to walk Pippen.  I have to avoid people with dogs so he doesn't attack them.  He makes me antisocial. 

Being a dog mom makes you more responsible.  Responsible for letting the dog out, taking him for walks, feeding him, protecting him from the scary thunderstorms and fireworks.

Happy Dog Mom's Day to you.

Oh, and I expect a card and a real nice gift, Pippen.

My Weird Dog

 As I mentioned in previous posts, we participated in spring break.  This vacation did not include my weird dog Pippen.  Pippen was able to stay home and have Alex take care of him.  The lucky dog even got daily visits and treats from his favorite uncle.   I had it all planned out so he could have trips outside to do his business and have a little social time too. You imagine him living his best life.

The first message I received (within a day), Pippen was sad.  Then its, "He won't go outside."  I received a picture of the floor and, "How is he this messy?"  Ok, that last one I can explain.  Pippen takes bites of food and chews with his mouth open.  He then turns or walks away from his bowl.  Some food drops out of his mouth.  I find pieces throughout the main floor (yes, RT is a saint for putting up with all of this craziness).

One night, while we were away, some thunderstorms came through the area.  Pippen decided to wake up make a nightly three am visit.  His jiggling of the door handle in the middle of the night brings chills and scares the pants off you.  Alex was not a fan.

I might have to find another baby sitter dog sitter.  Anyone interested?

My Weird Dog

 My weird dog Pippen is looking to join a coyote family.

I woke up at four in the morning to some very loud animal activity outside my house.  There was an animal screaming bloody murder outside the window.  Yea, I didn't think animals could scream, but after last night, I now know the truth.  Once the screaming stopped, there was some howling.  I decided to roll over and try to get some sleep, but the howls started to get louder.  That's when I realized the howls were coming from inside the house.  I decided to go check on the child dog before he wakes up the entire neighborhood house.  

If you know of any coyotes looking to expand their family, let me know.